California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced March 19 a ballot initiative that would raise more than $3 billion to provide lodging and treatment to homeless people with mental illness and drug addictions.
“It’s unacceptable, what we’re dealing with at scale now in the state of California, not only in terms of what’s happening on the streets and sidewalks, but those that are suffering alone, those that are unseen in homes, in mobile home parks, in the streets, obviously in isolation,” Newsom told reporters at a press conference in San Diego, where he concluded his four-day statewide tour. “We have to address and come to grips with the reality of mental health in this state and our nation.”
